Destinations such as Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong have long been popular oninbound itineraries, but the Asian cruise market is maturing as travellers discover theappeal of a holiday break on the ocean waves.It is only a matter of time before Asian incentive travel follows the pattern in NorthAmerica and Europe, where incentive groups regularly sign up for cruises, says Melvyn Yap, regional director, Asia, for Singapore-based Silversea Cruises.The new generation of cruise liners can carry more than 5,000 passengers, whichmeans the largest groups can be very large indeed. “That is still some way in the future,” says Yap, but he is convinced the potential exists. He says the relatively high costs of cruising is still a major obstacle and that Asian companies are still reluctant to spend heavily on incentive trips.“An increasing number of companies are realising the benefits of a cruise, as theyappreciate the convenience and value of a cruise for their meetings, conferences andincentive travel needs,” he says.INCENTIVE CRUISESRama Rebbapragada, director of international sales and marketing Asia/Pacific, RoyalCaribbean Cruises, says Asia is an important source market for incentive cruises, which is the rationale behind basing Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas in Asia from the end of 2007.“The short cruises in this region will offer corporate groups with limited time andbudgets, more opportunities to sail with us for meetings and incentive travel,” he says.Following the success of P&O Cruises’ inaugural Asian season last year, P&O willbase a 1,350-passenger ship, Pacific Star, in Singapore from April to October next year.Seabourn Cruise Line is looking for niche markets in Asia, targeting Asian clients byscheduling an extended stay in Southeast Asia this Christmas and winter, with cruisesto a number of Asian cities and Vietnam.The Asia Pacific region is a natural cruise market boasting multiple destinations. In2005, Asia’s share of world cruise business was about five per cent, or just more than one million passengers.But, by 2010, according to a report commissioned by Ocean Shipping Consultants, the figure is projected to reach 1.5 million. By 2015 it will be two million.Incentive trips, meetings and training take on a different tone aboard a cruise.Although cabins are generally smaller than hotel rooms, public spaces are designed tomake a large cruise ship feel like a floating resort, offering something for all tastes,24 hours a day.The larger the vessel, the more varied and extensive are the facilities and programmes.Recreational options may include a surfing pool, ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall,
spas, cinema, auditorium and fully equipped rooms for meetings and seminars.
EXTENDED OPTIONSCombine air and sea travel and its possible to visit more destinations, even during thecourse of a short cruise. As an alternative to a 20-night cruise starting in Australia, between April-October next year, P&O Cruises Australia will offer 21 seven-night cruises on the 1,350-passenger Pacific Star sailing from Singapore. Prices include the cost of return flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Adelaide.Singapore has the advantage of being a yearround port, unlike Hong Kong and manyother ports on the coast of China and Vietnam, where cruise schedules are liable to disruption during the summer typhoon season.Hong Kong and Singapore are popular flycruise hubs on account of their excellentregional and long-haul air connections.Singapore has recently established a US$6.6 million Fly-Cruise Fund to build its
cruise business.
Web watch - New Portal
Regional cruising received a boost earlier in the year with the launch ofwww.cruiseasean.com. The portal aims to introduce Asia as a cruise destination tothe global cruise industry, says Kevin Leong, chairman of the Asean CruiseWorking Group.Agent training, the development of partnerships, infrastructure developmentand marketing are all part of the new twoyear initiative, says Leong.A brochure, Cruising in Asean, introduces the region’s diversity and places of interest to incentive groups.
